BUFFALO, N.Y. -- About 15 children will learn about renewable
energy, art and sustainability at the University at Buffalo's Solar
Strand from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday.

The children, from the UB's Child Care Center, will take part in
activities, such as a scavenger hunt and baking cookies in a solar
oven. Note to media: UB has secured parental permission to take
video and/or pictures of the children.

A partnership with the New York Power Authority, the Solar
Strand is a 3,200-panel photovoltaic array at the Flint Road
entrance to UB's North Campus. At 750 kilowatts, it generates
enough clean, renewable electricity to power hundreds of student
apartments.

Since UB flipped the switch in April, the array has generated
325,000 kilowatt hours of electricity. That's enough power to match
the annual demand of 40 households. It also equals saving hundreds
of tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere.

As the children's presence suggests, the array is also an
outdoor classroom. UB expects to hold additional classes there
after construction crews put final touches on the site, such as
laying concrete slabs and other user-friendly features.

The Solar Strand demonstrates UB's commitment to sustainability,
climate neutrality, and environmental stewardship under the UB 2020
strategic plan and Building UB: The Comprehensive Physical Plan.
This plan guides development of facilities to support the growth of
research in the university's strategic strengths and to improve the
student experience in classrooms, labs, libraries, dining halls,
dormitories and recreational facilities and will make UB campuses
great places that people can truly enjoy and appreciate.

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